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ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSSet on the eleventh-century Silk Road, this story is told by a twelve-year-old orphan boy known as Monkey, who is rescued from a mob of angry monks by Samir, a round, fast-talking merchant who calls himself the Seller of Dreams. To pay off the six bolts of silk Samir claims he spent to buy Monkey's freedom, the boy becomes his servant and travels with the caravan toward the distant city of Samarkand. The journey quickly turns dangerous when Monkey discovers that an astonishing number of people want Samir dead, including a Viking berserker, a Mongol gunner, a Persian fire-dancing dervish, a Chinese poisoner, a clan of Bedouin raiders, a rogue band of Roman soldiers, and the legendary killer known only as Cid.
Free Battle of the Books questions for The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams
SPOILERSEvery one of these has the same answer, and that is the point. In a real battle the question is read aloud with a dozen other books in play, and students have a few seconds to place it. Here is what a battle might ask about The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams. Use them as a quiz, a trivia round, or BOTB practice.
Where in the book they come from
- Early in the book
In what book is an ancient blind donkey treated like a wise traveling companion?
✓ Answer
The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri
Samir adores his decrepit donkey Rostam and talks to him as if the animal were a champion steed and trusted friend. Rostam is one of the few creatures Samir refuses to ever sell.
- First half
In what book does a wedding ring turn a chieftain's son's finger green?
✓ Answer
The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri
During the meeting, a woman explains that the Bedouin are furious because the ring Samir sold turned the buyer's finger green, and a boy adds that his horse died next. The list of grudges against Samir keeps growing absurdly long.
- First half
In what book does a giant licking green paste off a shield charge through a spice market?
✓ Answer
The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri
A huge Viking berserker licks insanity herbs off his shield and rampages after Samir through the bazaar of Korla. He smashes spice carts into colorful clouds as Omar and Samir flee.
- Second half
In what book do three arrows pin a fat man's felt hat into the dirt?
✓ Answer
The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri
The gunner's arrows knock Samir's cone-shaped hat off his head and stitch it to the ground with three shots. Monkey imagines the hat could have been a heart cut from a chest.
- Second half
In what book is red coral said to be made from a snake monster's blood?
✓ Answer
The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri
Monkey jumps into the haggling and tells the confused pirate that red coral is gorgon's blood. The story scares Gracus into worrying the gorgon will sink all the ships he planned to plunder.
- Near the end
In what book does a man hide a gold coin under his toe for children to find?
✓ Answer
The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri
At a shabby teahouse, Samir tells the owner's grandchildren a coin sits under one of his toes if they can find it, while bragging about Stone Fist technique. His love of kids hints he may once have been a father.
